AGEING is inevitable, and happens to us all.
While we can’t roll back the years, we can work to reduce the signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles.
Izabela Pawlitka is an aesthetic therapist and skincare specialist on Harley Street, offering treatments at a high price.
But the expert, at Dr David Jack, has secrets for improving wrinkles that barely cost anything.
She reassures us that fine lines are a natural part of your face and body’s ageing process
“Fine lines on your skin look similar to the wrinkles you get on a shirt that needs ironed,” she says.
“They appear as folds, creases or ridges.
“They’re most often found on your face, neck and arms, but fine lines can appear anywhere on your body.”
As we age, collagen, a protein within the body that gives the skin structure, depletes.
“Slow skin cell production, thinning skin layers and a lack of collagen proteins causes wrinkles to form on your skin,” Izabela explains.
Whilst treatments can help to boost collagen and therefore reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, there are a few things you can try at home to fight back against ageing.
Gua sha is a therapy that involves using a smooth edged massage tool to scrape your skin and improve circulation for a brighter, more youthful complexion.
Izabela adds that Gua sha helps to stimulate microcirculation – circulation of oxygenated blood in the small vessels.
“Microcirculation relates to the lymphatic channels that remove excess tissue fluid, and also the blood capillaries that help draw excess tissue fluid from the tissues to reduce puffiness,” explains Izabela.
“Concentrate on upward movements from your neck to the top of your forehead.
“Doing this for 10 minutes two to three times a week can make a big difference.”
You can buy Gua sha tools in Boots or on Amazon, however, you can also use your hands to do a facial massage. Use your favourite serum or a bit of oil, such as jojoba.
Face rollers, often sold with Gua sha tools also help to increase flow of oxygen to the skin.
Try gliding an ice cube around your face or holding your face in a bowl of icy water for a few minutes.
Izabela says: “Ice is a great and quick tool to refresh your skin when you feel your face is swollen or if you suffer with breakouts.
“It helps to reduce skin inflammation. Just two to three minutes is enough to see the difference and refresh skin.”
Power napping can also help to improve circulation, which can give our skin a healthy glow.
Izabela Pawlitka
This could help improve the appearance of your skin, with puffiness likely to accentuate any lines.
However, Izabela does warn that you need to be careful not to ice-burn your face.
Hold the ice in your hand before putting it straight on your face and/or wrap it in a clean thin tea towel.
Izabela adds: “You can place a face roller or Gua Sha in the freezer too, so the cooling effects cause vasoconstriction which reduces tissue puffiness.”
A short snooze won’t just give your energy and mood a boost – it can do wonders for your skin too.
Izabela says: “Taking a short nap for 20 to 30 minutes during the day is beneficial for your skin because when we power nap, our body goes into a brief period of rest and rejuvenation.
“This allows our skin cells to work at repairing any damage that has been done throughout the day.
“Power napping can also help to improve circulation, which can give our skin a healthy glow.”
A luxurious silk pillowcase is a useful skin-support.
“Silk absorbs less moisture than other popular bedding materials like cotton,” says Izabela.
“This allows the skin to retain more moisture.”
Dehydrated skin can often appear older, so ensuring our skin can retain as much moisture as possible is a big part of maintaining that youthful appearance.
M&S and John Lewis sell silk pillowcases, however check out Amazon for cheaper alternatives.
Although it can be challenging if you’ve been a side sleeper for years, try to train yourself to sleep on your back as this can help prevent puffiness in your face whilst also minimising fine lines.
Your kitchen cupboards will likely be home to several skin-loving ingredients.
For a hydration boost, try mixing a tablespoon of honey with half an avocado and a small handful of oats. Apply over your face and leave for 20 minutes.
Retinoids are the gold standard to improve fine lines
Izabela
Olive oil is also another great ingredient for skin as it’s packed with vitamins and antioxidants.
Mix a tablespoon of olive oil with a tablespoon of plain yoghurt and a tablespoon of honey for a simple at-home mask that also smells delicious.
Izabela suggests that if you have a build-up of dry skin, you should always exfoliate before applying any masks “as nothing will go through the buildup barrier”.
“This should be a chemical exfoliant, such as AHAs; try lactic or mandelic acid, rather than the ones with tiny balls! This could be in the form of an exfoliating cleanser, for example,” she adds.
The products you use on your skin can help to protect it from ageing and even help to reduce the signs of ageing.
“Retinoids are the gold standard to improve fine lines,” says Izabela.
Retinoids are essentially vitamin A, which the body uses for cell turnover. New skin cells reduce dullness and clogged pores while boosting collagen production.
Most skincare brands will have a retinol-based product, however, if you’ve never used retinoids before, start with a lower strength (0.1 per cent, for example).
Use only a couple of times a week and work your way up. Retinoids can initially cause some itching or redness.
“Don’t forget your SPF50 daily as nothing depletes collagen more than your daily exposure to UVA and UVB rays,” adds Izabela.
Plus, if you’re out and about, be sure to apply SPF regularly throughout the day.
Shona Wilkinson, lead nutritionist at ethical nutrition and supplement brand DR.VEGAN, you can also give your skin a helping hand by turning your focus to what you eat.
“Many people underestimate the role your diet can play in maintaining healthy, glowing skin,” she told The Sun.
In general terms, packing your diet with fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and healthy fats can prevent all sorts of issues with our skin, Shona says.
It can “reduce the risk of premature ageing, and leave us with a consistently radiant complexion”, the nutritionist explained.
The foods she recommends are:
Shona says: “Not only are they rich in Vitamin C, which is essential for healthy collagen production, but they’re also great for improving gut health, which has direct implications on our skin.”
2. Berries and cherries
The red fruits are rich in a natural plant-colouring agent called proanthocyanidin, which helps impart their dark colour.
“Proanthocyanidins are potent natural antioxidants – meaning they protect the skin from harmful oxidants that come from the sun, pollution and poor dietary choices,” Shona explained.
“Proanthocyanidins particularly help to protect the collagen in your skin, which helps to provide your skin with structure, strength, and elasticity, reducing wrinkles and providing a general layer of protection.”
3. Chia, flaxseed and fish
Foods like white fish, chia seeds, and avocados are fab for your skin, as they’re rich in Omega-3 – “a flexible fat used in skin cells to keep the skin healthy, moisturised, and less likely to crack or flake”, the nutritionist explained.
“Importantly, Omega-3 fats also help with the production of anti-inflammatory hormones in the body, decreasing any excess skin inflammation or face redness,” she added.
4. Brussels sprouts, broccoli and mustard greens
Shona says: “Vegetables such as Brussel sprouts, broccoli and mustard greens are rich in isothiocyanates, which support the function of the liver by protecting it from damage from toxins, especially alcohol.
“Research shows that reducing alcohol intake and increasing the consumption of cruciferous vegetables can help your liver to function properly and leave your skin toxin-free.”
5. Oranges, red peppers and strawberries
Shona says: “In order, to produce all the collagen your skin needs to keep you glowing every day, the body needs a substantial amount of both Vitamin C and protein.
“This is because Vitamin C is used in a process called hydroxylation, which converts protein into collagen.
“Try incorporating lots of citrus fruits such as oranges, red peppers, strawberries, or tomatoes into your diet.”
